Lady Gaga’s foundation donates $100,000 to Atlanta youth organisation after awarding it $50,000 in 2024; the money is helping students access mental health support, education and essential resources | World News

Lady Gaga‘s philanthropic organisation has donated $100,000 to an Atlanta-based nonprofit that provides young people with mental health support, educational opportunities and essential resources. The contribution from her Born This Way Foundation went to COR, an organisation working with students and families through school-based programmes. At Carver STEAM Academy and Carver Early College in Atlanta, students can access free counselling, participate in after-school activities, use a community grocery store and receive guidance from social workers. The funding is expected to help COR pay the social workers who provide mental health services to young people. The latest contribution follows an earlier $50,000 grant awarded to the organisation in 2024 through the Kindness in Community Fund.

Lady Gaga’s foundation makes another contribution to Atlanta nonprofit

The $100,000 donation was made by the Born This Way Foundation, established in 2011 by Lady Gaga and her mother, Cynthia Germanotta. The organisation focuses on supporting young people’s mental health, promoting kindness and creating communities where young people feel accepted and supported.The foundation selected COR, an Atlanta nonprofit focused on helping students overcome educational and socioeconomic barriers, as the recipient of the latest contribution.According to CBS News Atlanta, the money will be used to pay social workers who provide services to children through COR’s programmes. The contribution was reported on March 5, 2026, during Lady Gaga’s Mayhem Ball Tour stop in Atlanta.The latest funding follows a $50,000 grant COR received in July 2024 through the Kindness in Community Fund, an initiative supported by the Born This Way Foundation and Cotton On Foundation. That earlier grant was intended to expand access to behavioural health services and family support programmes.

How COR is helping students access mental health support

COR operates school-based resource centres where students can access free counselling, interact with social workers and seek assistance with personal and emotional challenges.At Carver STEAM Academy and Carver Early College, students can visit the organisation’s on-campus space after classes to meet other students, speak with guidance counsellors and participate in activities designed to build relationships.The programme also provides access to social workers who offer free mental health counselling. Students can seek support without having to travel to an external facility or pay for services.During its visit to Carver, CBS News Atlanta spoke with students who described the centre as a place where they could connect with peers from different schools and develop stronger relationships.COR executive director and co-founder Jennifer Henn told the broadcaster that the organisation wanted students to recognise their potential, access new opportunities and learn how to look after themselves.The latest donation is expected to help fund the professionals who make these services available to students.

Students can access free groceries, clothing and essential supplies

COR’s work extends beyond mental health counselling. The organisation also operates a free community resource centre called the CORner Store, where students and families can access groceries, clothing, hygiene products and other everyday necessities.Students can also work at the store, gaining practical experience and developing workplace skills while participating in activities outside their regular classes.CBS News Atlanta spoke with Carver student Isaiah Oakes, who said working at the store gave him something productive to do after school and provided a relaxing environment.Parents and caregivers can also access essential resources through the organisation. These include furniture, clothing and other household supplies, helping families manage some of their everyday expenses.The programme is designed to address several challenges that can affect a student’s ability to participate in education, including food insecurity and a lack of access to basic necessities.

COR also provides education on grief, health and human trafficking

The Atlanta nonprofit conducts educational programmes that help students understand personal safety, recognise potential risks and make informed decisions.Its prevention education classes cover subjects such as health, managing grief, conflict resolution, human trafficking and exploitation. These sessions are designed to help young people recognise warning signs and understand where to seek assistance.COR also works with parents and caregivers, offering financial literacy classes to help families improve their understanding of money management and household finances.The organisation’s programmes bring together students, families, educators and social workers to address challenges that can affect young people’s development and education.Its approach combines mental health services with practical resources and educational activities rather than focusing on counselling alone.

COR reports hundreds of hours of mental health support

COR’s published figures for the 2025–26 school year provide an indication of the scale of its activities across its programmes.According to its official website, the organisation recorded:

These figures cover different aspects of the organisation’s work, including direct support for students, educational sessions and access to essential supplies.COR has also expanded its school-based programmes beyond Carver STEAM Academy. In 2024, it announced plans to extend its services to Price Middle School, responding to requests from school administrators for additional mental health and family support resources.

How Lady Gaga’s foundation supports young people’s mental health

The Born This Way Foundation was established in 2011 by Lady Gaga and Cynthia Germanotta to support young people’s mental health and promote kindness and acceptance.One of its initiatives is the Kindness in Community Fund, which provides financial support to grassroots organisations addressing challenges faced by young people in their communities.The programme supports organisations offering direct mental health services as well as assistance related to housing, food security and safety.In 2025, the foundation invested $5 million in 55 youth-centred organisations across 11 countries through the fund. Its funding priorities include organisations that involve young people in decision-making, promote inclusion and provide accessible mental health resources.The foundation also offers the Be There Certificate, a free online educational programme that teaches people how to recognise when someone may be experiencing mental health difficulties, offer support and connect them with appropriate resources.